The NCAA’s board of directors took the first step toward shifting power to the five largest football conferences on Thursday, endorsing a 57-page plan that calls for giving 65 of the nation’s biggest schools more autonomy in how to fund scholarships, handle health care and decide other increasingly hot-button issues involving their athletes. Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delany appeared on Thursday’s “#BTNLive” to discuss the latest developments, and you can watch that entire interview in this post. If approved later this year, schools in the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12 and SEC could implement some rules on their own

To unionize or not to unionize. That’s what Northwestern players will vote on Friday in what could be a watershed event in the annals of college sports. Many have speculated that the players will reject the union, based on some public comments by a few Wildcats and the fact Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald has spoken out against it and has counseled players that a union isn’t in their best interest. [ MORE: Trevor Siemian says union push was rushed, wrong ] But we shall see. This all came front and center in March, when a regional director of the National

On Thursday, the NCAA Board of Directors is expected to OK a new model of how its organization is run. Bottom line: major changes appear to be coming, as it appears the NCAA is trying to get a lot of this done to thwart multiple lawsuits vs. the Indianapolis institution and also to unplug the union movement. A big anticipated change: The five power conferences are expected to be given autonomy from other leagues. [ MORE: BTN/BTN2Go announces 2014 prime-time football schedule ] What’s it mean? The Big Ten, Big 12, SEC, ACC and Pac 12 would basically be able

The Big Ten announced a six-game prime-time schedule for BTN/BTN2Go that is highlighted by a mid-November telecast and two appearances by Nebraska and Rutgers. Rutgers is the only Big Ten team that will play host to two BTN night tilts, kicking things off with a visit from East rival Penn State on Sept. 13 in the Scarlet Knights’ first Big Ten game. Rutgers also will welcome Michigan on Oct. 4. [ MORE: College sports could step into future on Thursday ] Nebraska will take part in two BTN prime-time telecasts, playing host to Illinois on Sept. 27 and traveling to

CHICAGO – BTN today announced it has selected six games to air in primetime this fall, with teams including the conference’s 2013 Big Ten Champion Michigan State, Ohio State, Michigan and Big Ten newcomers Rutgers University and the University of Maryland. Nine of 14 Big Ten schools are part of the primetime selections, and five of the six games are conference contests. “This year’s selections reflect the expanded geography and nationwide appeal of the conference and the network,” said BTN President Mark Silverman, “and gives us our best primetime lineup ever.” The first selection features Penn State at Rutgers on

Only three Big Ten spring games remain, as Iowa, reigning Big Ten and Rose Bowl champ Michigan State and Rutgers are still conducting spring practices. That means 11 teams have wrapped up spring drills and have their eyes set on the 2014 season. What did Tom Dienhart learn from the spring sessions? Find out in this post. ILLINOIS There are nice options at quarterback. The candidates include Aaron Bailey, Oklahoma State transfer Wes Lunt and experienced backup Reilly O’Toole. But in the end, it will be a shock if Lunt isn’t the starter. He has the look of a big-time

If you’re on Twitter or Facebook, you can vote in our ongoing series of Big Ten social media polls for our weekday show #BTNLive. On tonight’s episode of #BTNLive at 6 p.m. ET, our experts discuss this question: How many college football bowl games should there be? The choices: #Lessthan20, #21to30, #31to40, or #AsManyAsPossible How do you vote via social media? It’s simple. On Twitter, just use any of the above hashtags and we will tabulate them. On Facebook, go to BTN’s Facebook page (www.Facebook.com/BTN) and post your chosen hashtag there. There’s another very easy way to vote via Twitter

Here’s a question that college basketball fans have probably asked themselves at one point or another: How good would that guy be if he played football? The which-basketball-players-would-be-great-at-football topic always makes for a great conversation point, but rather than pointlessly flirting with the idea, let’s go ahead and actually put it into action. With both the college football and basketball seasons now in the books, I went ahead and put together a 22-man football lineup made up of all Big Ten hoops players from the 2013-14 season. Did I miss someone? If so, tweet me @BTNSean. OFFENSE Quarterback: Josh Gasser,

SportingNews.com decided to rank the Big Ten’s football coaches, and there’s no surprise at the top of the list. Ohio State’s Urban Meyer, he of two national titles at Florida, is No. 1, and Michigan State’s Mark Dantonio, fresh off a Big Ten title and Rose Bowl Game win, is No. 2. [ MORE: SportingNews.com: Big Ten coach rankings ] After the top two, though, the site’s ranking is certain to elicit its share of debate. Pat Fitzgerald is No. 3, even after a 5-7 season, James Franklin is No. 4, despite never coaching a Big Ten game, and Gary

Recently, football players from the University of Iowa shared the importance of reading with local students. A sea turtle and snowy owl are getting much-needed care at the University of Minnesota Veterinary Medical Center. Northwestern University medical students are helping the homeless in Chicago. Problem behavior and school performance are being studied by an innovative new program at the University of Nebraska. Two Rutgers graduates won prestigious Soros Fellowships for New Americans. A University of Maryland professor’s remarkable impact on computer sciences was recognized recently. Finally, Michigan State’s Adreian Payne was honored at the annual Wooden Award Gala last week.